Hungary Cruise from Budapest to Olteniţa — 9 Days

8 nights · Hungary · River cruise · Departs Budapest (Hungary) · Visiting Mohacs, Osijek, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Ruse, Oltenita, Cernavoda, Constanta · Aboard CroisiEurope on the ms Vivaldi

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Waterways

This river cruise sails the Danube, departing Budapest.

Cruise lineCroisiEurope
Shipms Vivaldi
Duration8 nights
Port calls9
Departures1 sailings
From fare$2,133 per person
Year built2009
Guests176
Cabins88
Crew25
Length111 m
Beam11 m
Cruising speed9.0 kn
  1. Day 1

    Budapest, Hungary

    Budapest makes a memorable arrival, with the Danube dividing hilly Buda from lively, level Pest. From the river, the Hungarian Parliament’s Gothic Revival façade commands attention, especially after dark. Cross the Chain Bridge to explore Castle Hill, or stay in Pest for cafés, markets, and celebrated thermal baths. Allow time to linger: Budapest’s pleasures are best discovered on foot, over a long lunch, and beside the water.

  2. Day 2

    Mohacs, Hungary

    Mohács sits on the Danube in southern Hungary, where river life meets a turbulent past. The town is known for the 1526 Battle of Mohács, a defeat that reshaped Hungary. It also hosts Busójárás, a UNESCO-listed pre-Lenten festival of carved masks, bells and lively processions. Visit the battlefield memorial, then stroll the riverside streets or sample paprika-rich Hungarian cooking. Mohács rewards travelers willing to look beyond Budapest.

  3. Day 2

    Osijek, Croatia

    Osijek, on the Drava River in eastern Croatia, offers a quieter, more spacious city break than the Adriatic ports. Begin in Tvrđa, its compact Baroque quarter, where cobbled lanes and Habsburg-era buildings frame cafés, museums and galleries. Follow the riverfront promenade, then look for the soaring Church of St Peter and St Paul in the modern centre. Local menus lean on freshwater fish and paprika-rich Slavonian cooking; nearby Kopački Rit offers wetlands and birdlife.

  4. Day 3

    Novi Sad, Serbia

    Step ashore in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city, and the Danube is never far from view. Across the river, Petrovaradin Fortress commands the skyline, its ramparts holding centuries of history and sweeping views over the water. In the compact centre, café-lined streets lead to Liberty Square, the Cathedral of the Name of Mary and lively markets. Come for the architecture; stay for a city that feels distinctly Serbian, confident and easy to explore.

  5. Day 3

    Belgrade, Serbia

    Belgrade stands where the Sava meets the Danube, a strategic crossroads shaped by centuries of conquest and commerce. From the riverfront, Kalemegdan Fortress commands wide views over both waterways and the city’s layered skyline. Below it, cafés, markets and pedestrian streets reveal a capital that feels energetic, not polished for visitors. Come ashore for history, strong coffee and a distinctly Balkan pace; Belgrade rewards those who explore beyond the main square.

  6. Day 5

    Ruse, Bulgaria

    Ruse is Bulgaria’s grand Danube city, where elegant nineteenth-century façades give the streets a distinctly European air. Start at Svoboda Square, framed by cafés and the striking Monument of Liberty, then explore the Regional Historical Museum. Ruse also makes a rewarding base for visiting the UNESCO-listed rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo, a short drive inland. After sightseeing, settle beside the river and watch the Danube carry the day downstream.

  7. Day 6

    Oltenita, Romania

    Oltenița sits where the Argeș River meets the Danube, about 60 kilometres southeast of Bucharest. Its working waterfront offers a quieter view of Romania than the capital’s grand boulevards. Begin at the Gumelnița Civilization Museum, where archaeological finds illuminate a prehistoric culture that flourished here thousands of years ago. Then walk the riverfront, where broad Danube horizons and passing vessels set the scene. Oltenița’s appeal lies in its direct connection to water, trade and time.

  8. Day 7

    Cernavoda, Romania

    At Cernavodă, the Danube meets one of Europe’s most ambitious waterways: the canal linking it with the Black Sea. Look for the Anghel Saligny Bridge, completed in 1895 and once among Europe’s longest. Beyond the river, Dobrogea’s vineyards and Constanța’s Black Sea heritage offer rewarding excursions. Here, engineering, wine country and maritime history meet in a quieter corner of Romania.

  9. Day 7

    Constanta, Romania

    Constanța brings Romania’s Black Sea coast within easy reach, pairing a busy harbour with beaches and a compact historic centre. The city’s landmark Casino, restored and reopened in 2025, commands the waterfront with its Art Nouveau façade. At the Great Mahmudiye Mosque, climb the minaret for a clear view over the harbour and rooftops. The Roman mosaic and nearby old-town cafés reward a slower look ashore.

  10. Day 8

    Cernavoda, Romania

    At Cernavodă, the Danube meets one of Europe’s most ambitious waterways: the canal linking it with the Black Sea. Look for the Anghel Saligny Bridge, completed in 1895 and once among Europe’s longest. Beyond the river, Dobrogea’s vineyards and Constanța’s Black Sea heritage offer rewarding excursions. Here, engineering, wine country and maritime history meet in a quieter corner of Romania.

  11. Day 9

    Oltenita, Romania

    Oltenița sits where the Argeș River meets the Danube, about 60 kilometres southeast of Bucharest. Its working waterfront offers a quieter view of Romania than the capital’s grand boulevards. Begin at the Gumelnița Civilization Museum, where archaeological finds illuminate a prehistoric culture that flourished here thousands of years ago. Then walk the riverfront, where broad Danube horizons and passing vessels set the scene. Oltenița’s appeal lies in its direct connection to water, trade and time.

ms Vivaldi Cruises

Published August 5, 2026
Last updated October 11, 2026
Author: J. Richard


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